- The Digital Bits reports that “Southland Tales” is scheduled for a March 18th release on DVD. No details at all right now, so we’re not sure if we’ll see the restored full length cut, theatrical cut, high-def or only standard-def versions. We’re guessing they’ll start with a basic theatrical disc, but are secretly hopeful for a director’s cut and commentary. Don’t count on it, though. Kevin appears in the film in a cameo role (under heavy makeup).
- Kevin had the pleasure of being part of a question on popular TV quizzer “Jeopardy!” this week. The 2 part question involved putting two words together to come up with a solution — The first part of the clue asked for “the last name of ‘Clerks’ director Kevin”. The full answer was “Smith & Wesson”.
- Finally today, we’re not sure what this is/means but a few folks sent it in today — So maybe some of you might get a kick out of it. They call them “Cat Macros”. See ya soon.
The First SMod Of The Year Has Arrived!
- Hooray – A mid-week present has arrived. Kevin and Scott’s recently recorded SModcast has now been made available for all to download — And hey, best of all, same as last year, it’s completely free of charge. Let’s see what the guys have on tap for us this week:
SModcast 43: SMorpheus –In which our heroes discuss SMod after death, and then descend into the Matrix to determine the reality of PodBabies, post-pod love, virtual weight loss, the power of a crappy life, and whether the virtual world makes a man happier.
As always, SModcast is exclusive to Quick Stop Entertainment — Brought to you absolutely free of charge, courtesy of hosts Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier. We look forward to hearing some “Zack and Miri” tidbits in coming episodes once shooting kicks in. Our thanks once again to the guys for taking their own personal time to bring us a hilarious weekly hour. Enjoy SModcast 2008!
SModcast 2008 Is Coming!
- We’re sure everyone is anxious to hear from Kevin and Scott in 2008, and we’re happy to report that will be VERY soon. Kevin was sorry to not have a new episode to help you get through the Monday blues, but confirms that the next episode will be recorded today:
No new SMod tonight. Mos and I are recording it tomorrow. Sorry for the wait. Thanks for your patience.
We’re continually appreciate to the guys for keeping up with this, especially considering that they have to be waist deep in “Zack and Miri” prep (filming is less than two weeks away now, we believe). We’ll let you know when the new SModcast has arrived, exclusively from Quick Stop Entertainment.
View Askew NewsBites™
- We’re kicking off the ‘Bites with some nice scannage today — Thanks to Empire magazine in the UK, who always kick butt with the Kevin coverage, here’s a fun piece titled “My Movie Mastermind”. In this feature, they quiz filmmakers and actors on their own work. How did Kevin stack up? Click the pic and see for yourself.
- Jason Lee reveals that he doesn’t have any current work on the slate, though he looks forward to getting back to work as “Earl” once the writer’s strike is resolved. Could this open up the chance for small appearance in “Zack and Miri Make a Porno”? You never know.
- FileFront and OneUp are also jealously drooling over Kevin’s customized Nintendo Wii console.
- Australia’s “The Age” charts the landmark year for “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” star Seth Rogen, cikting his successful 2007 and the path that’s brought him into the Askewniverse.
- In addition to the coolness that is “Dexter”, here’s another reason to subscribe to Showtime — Clerks II will debut on the network this Saturday, January 12th. Check your local listings. As we believe some cable and satellite systems also offer HD versions of the channel, this will be a chance for some of you to catch the colorful flick in the best resolution available today. Enjoy.
Dogma Blu-Ray To Mirror SE…
- High Def Digest has Sony’s official ‘Dogma’ Blu-Ray specs for us today:
“As we first reported in December, Sony announced it would bow the controversial religious satire ‘Dogma’ on March 11, though initial specs were sparce. Now the full details are in, and typical of a Smith disc release, the Blu-ray will come loaded with making-of material and deleted footage.Porting over many (but not all) of the features from Sony’s previous two-disc DVD edition, the Blu-ray version of ‘Dogma’ will contain two audio commentaries (the first with Smith and cast members, the second a technical track), 100 minutes of deleted scenes (with intros), and a “Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash” mock commercial.
Tech specs boast 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and uncompressed PCM 5.1 Surround audio in English and French.
Suggested retail for the Blu-ray has been set at $28.99.”
To us, sounds like a direct copy of the Dogma Special Edition DVD. We’re assuming the Blu-Ray will afford us a better visual and sound experience, though we’re assuming all extra material will remain as it was before. If we learn of any NEW material created for this release, we’ll let you know — However, our assumption for now is that it will be the same contents as the previous release.
View Askew NewsBites™
- Reaper will premiere on the digital TV channel E4 in the UK at the end of this month. It also should begin airing on Channel 4 later in the year.
- Also today, does this tee remind anyone of a famous Clerks II line? Catch ya next time…
View Askew NewsBites™
- “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” continues to appear on the radar for folks in 2008 – It makes Film School Rejects’ list of “The 20 Most Anticipated Movies of 2008” high atop the charts at #3, edging out quite a few high profile flicks:
3. Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Release Date: 2008
Talent: Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith (Director)Synopsis: Lifelong platonic friends Zack (Rogen) and Miri (Banks) look to solve their respective cashflow problems by making an adult film together. As the cameras roll, however, the duo begin to sense that they may have more feelings for each other than they previously thought.
The Buzz: You didn’t think that this list would be all summer blockbusters did you? Zack and Miri will combine two of the most beloved comedic minds in all of Hollywood, director Kevin Smith and actor Seth Rogen, to make a movie about two people who want to start a porn company. And it stars the always gorgeous Elizabeth Banks. If you need to read that again to allow it to really sink in, we can wait.
- In another list appearance, “Zack and Miri” also show up on /film’s 2008 Must-See list. Alphabetically, this one comes in at the bottom of the list. You know, we’re just realizing that those of you who alphabetize your View Askew DVD collections of will find this one always at the tail end — Unless Kevin’s got another “Z” movie in him someday.
- George at Film 411 dissects one of View Askew’s Oscar-worthy scenes, the famous parking garage sequence from “Dogma”, as part of their “Scene Anatomy 101”. Here’s a clip:
This scene has so much going for it that I’m surprised it was never seen as an award-nominated clip. First, to satisfy Kevin’s critics, the camera isn’t in one place for too long. The actors are moving around the garage, as is the camera, so visually the scene doesn’t get stale in any way. Secondly, the script is so strong because it toes the line between being dialogue that keeps the action moving and Ben Affleck speaking Kevin’s problems with Christianity, and yet somehow keeps itself from falling over to the soapbox side.And of course, you have Ben and Matt themselves, two old friends that are obviously very comfortable acting with each other. Here their chemistry takes center stage. Nobody else is in this scene with them, and as their voices get louder, they echo through the cold and empty garage.
Read it all over at 411. - Speaking of “Dogma”, attention high-definition fans: The film is currently set for a bow on the Bluray format on March 11th, 2008. No word on which extras will be included on the set, though we’re hoping and expecting to see all the goodies from the 2-disc Special Edition.
- Finally this morning, a fun tidbit of trivia — One astute scooper just wrote in to tell us about a rerun episode of “Law & Order: SVU” from 2001 entitled “Sacrifice”. In it, “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” star Elizabeth Banks plays a porn star whose manager is sending her to Vegas to do a gang bang with 300 guys. Your trivia for the day. Catch ya later…
Wanna Check Out Kevin’s Wii?
- Now there’s a headline, huh? Seriously, though, it seems that Kevin has joined the ranks of the happy Nintendo Wii owners this holiday — But he’s done it in extremely cool style. To make it a very special gift, designer Ramon Stokes was hired to do a one-of-a-kind case modification. Now, this Nintendo Wii has to be the jealous envy of many a View Askew fan.
The design team put 60 hours into this bad boy, and have a few words and a nice photo gallery over at their official site.
We had no idea such involved gaming case modifications were possible. Our hats off to the designers. Gadget site Gizmodo also took notice as well as fellow blog site Tech Blog, and /film. We’re going to go ahead and claim this as the coolest Wii on the planet right now. Wow.
“Tales From The Clerks” Hardcover Limited To 500…
- Talk about more wow factor — How about what’s sure to be one of the most limited collectibles in View Askew history? This “Tales from the Clerks” special edition hardcover book will feature EVERY View Askew comic ever produced, tons of extras, and have a special signature page — Signed by Kevin himself. For being that limited, we think the $79.95 pricetag is a true bargain. Thanks to Diamond Previews for these details:
- TALES FROM THE CLERKS LIMITED EDITION HARDCOVER BOOK
Features all of Kevin’s comic book adventures, with covers and behind-the-scenes material from all of the previously-released comics and trades. The art of Jim Mahfood, Mike Allred, Duncan Fegredo, Michael Oeming, Matt Wagner, and others is included in this definitive edition! Limited to only 500 copies, each book has a bound-in, sequentially-numbered signature page featuring art by Oeming and Allred, and signed by Kevin Smith!
336 pages, 6 5/8 x 10 3/16, FC$79.95
No word on a definitive release date just yet. Watch our site if you want one, as we’re betting you’ll need to act fast.
View Askew NewsBites™
- The holidays have SModcast delayed a day this week, but we’re expecting a new episode to drop any moment now. We’ll have a link for you right here when it’s ready to roll.
- Kevin’s turn in “Live Free or Die Hard” is listed as the #4 Best Cameo of the year in Empire Online’s Top 5 of 2007 list. Bruce Campbell tops the list for his brief appearance in “Spider-Man 3”.
- JoBlo, always having the great eye for the ladies, cites “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” female lead Elizabeth Banks as the “Hottie We Want To See More Of In 2008” as part of their Hottie Awards. Read the full piece, see tons of those sexy photos those guys are so good at digging up, and enjoy.